Electric elevator system having load measuring devices



July 29, 1952 L RYHS'SLER HAL 2,604,782

' ELECTRIC ELEVATOR SYSTEI HAVING LOAD IIEASURING DEVICES Filed Nov. 19, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. I.

XLI- L a a-$ a ennlus ISS er Joseph K. Kraft.

ATTORNEY July 29, 1952 5 5 ETAL 2,604,782

ELECTRIC ELEVATOR HAVING LOAD MEASURING DEVICES Filed Nov. 19, 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.5.

25 WITNESSES: INVENTORS g w 'b'liil? 335? ATTORNEY L. R. R|SLER EI'AL 604,782

July 29, 1952 ELECTRIC ELEVATOR SYSTEM HAVING LOAD MEASURING DEVICES s Sheets-Sheet s Filed Nov. 19, 1948 1 m Fik NE m (b m m I L- I23 J limo E 12,

o J lel o I I 0 0 0 9B\" H90 9) ll,9E 69F lo 1 l l o Fig.6.

O O o O O rm 13s ,2: i-g 7f Fig.7.

' m IO9-'"-ll2 f g G (5 :23 L@ E @Q & g) Q was n3 n9 0 0 0 INVENTORS Lennius R. Rissler a WITNESSES:

' Q nswh K. Kraft ATTORNEY Patenteci July 29, 1952 ELECTRIC ELEVATOR SYSTEM HAVING LOAD MEASURING DEVICES Lennius R. Rissler, Hohokus, and Joseph K.

Kraft,- Verona, N. J., assignors to Westing-- house Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa.,, acorporation of Pennsylvania Application November 19, 1948. Serial'No. 60,962

This invention. relates; toload-determining devices. and ithas particular relation to elevator systems employing aload-ldetermining device for controlling the operation. of; an elevator car.

In accordance withthe: invention, the load on a plurality of'ropes. oricables supporting an. elevatorcar is. ascertainedby' determining individually the load on each of the. ropes. The individual loads aretotalized to obtain a resultant output representing the total load on all of the ropes.

The resultant output representing the total load. on the ropes. maybe employed in various ways. For. example. an indicator may be provided for indicating the total load. As a further example, the resultant outputmay' operate rotary switches or may vary impedance for control purposes. More specific illustrations of theapplication of the load-responsive device include the control of the time of brake release for elevator systems, particularly those of the relevelling type. Also, the device may beemployedxfor controlling the time of brake application in an elevator system to facilitate accurate landing-at any desired floor served'by' aneleva-tor car regardless of the load carried by thecar.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an improved: load-determining device suitable for loads carried by multiple ropes or cables.

It is a furtherobjectof the invention to provide an improved load-determining device suitable for loads supported by multiple ropes wherein apparatus is provided for measuring the load on each of theropes and for totalizing the individual load measurements.

It is a furtherv object of the invention to provide an improved load determining device for totalizing the individual loads carried by multiple ropes and for operating. a. variable impedance device. in accordance with the totalized load.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide an elevator system including a device. for totalizing. the. loads:irr the: individual ropes supporting an elevator car and including a brake for the elevator car having a time of application controlled in accordance; with the totalized load ascertained.

It is also an obj'ecttoi' the invention to provide an elevator system. including apparatus for totalizing the individual loads in multiple ropes supportingan elevator carand including a brake for the elevator car having; a. time of release controlled by the totalized loadv so determined. Other objects of the lnventionwillbe apparent 14 Claims. (01. 73-143) 2. from the" following description taken in conjunction with the. accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation with parts omitted and. parts broken away: of an elevator system embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view inendv elevation with the cover broken away of a variable-impedance device embodying the invention.

Fig; 3' is a view incross-section taken along theiline .III-III of. Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a view. in sideelevation with parts broken away of the device illustrated in Fig. 2'.

Fig. 5 is a viewin side elevation with parts broken away of a load-determining; device embodyingr the invention.

Fig. 6 is a View in front elevation with parts broken away of the device illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is: a' view in bottom plan with parts broken away of: the device illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. 3 is a. schematic view with parts broken away of an elevatorsystem embodying. the invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing a modification of the system illustrated in Fig. 8, and

Fig. 10 is. a schematic view of a portion of an elevator system illustrating. a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings; Fig. 1 shows an elevator system which-includes an elevator car I supported. in a conventional sling 3. The sling has. a hitch. plate 5 for reception of" a plurality of ropes or cables 1?,1 two ofwhich are shown in Fig. 1'. The ropes. are secured to the hitch plate through rods 9' to whichtheropes are secured in any: conventionalmanner, as by socketed' connections.

The ropes "l' pass over a traction sheave H which isrotatedlbyan electric motor l'3. An elevator brake I 5" is illustrated for stoppingthe elevator car andholdin'g it at a: desired floor. As hereinafter pointed? out, suitablecontrol equip-- ment may be associated with the electric motor for operating the elevator car; The remaining ends .of. the ropes! are attached in'a conventional manner to azcounterweight H.

In order to ascertain the load: on the ropes- I, a load-determining. device l9 is secured to the hitch plate 5; As hereinafter pointedout, the output of the load-determining device-l9 may be employed in various ways. For. present purposes, it-willbe: assumed thatv the output of the load determiningdeviceis supplied through a flexible member 2i to a variable-impedance device 23. The impedance of theedev-ice. 23: consequently is controlled in accordance.with the load on the ropes-fl. The impedance device 23- 3 conveniently may be secured to the upper crossbar 3a of the sling 3.

The variable-impedance device 23 is shown in greater detail in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. The device includes a bed plate 25 which has two spaced end plates 21 and 29 secured thereto. A shaft 3| extends between-and through the end plates and is mounted for rotation relative to the end plates. The shaft is biased normally in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 by means of a helical spring 33 (Fig. 4). This spring has one end secured to the end plate 29 by means of a bolt 35. The remaining end of the spring 33 is secured to the shaft 3| in any suitable manner.

The position of the shaft 3| is determined by the fiexible member 2|. This member may be constructed of any inextensible material such as fiexible cable. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the flexible member takes the form of a flexible chain. An end of the chain extends around a peripheral groove 31 in a sector 39 and has its ends secured to the sector by means of a pin 4|.

The sector 39 is mounted on the shaft 3| for rotation relative to the shaft, and is retained thereon by means of a split lock ring 43 disposed in a groove formed in the shaft. The sector 39 has secured thereto a bar 45 which has a cap screw 41 in threaded engagement therewith. This cap screw engages the surface of an arm 49. The arm is secured to the shaft 3| for rotation therewith and projects towards the chain 2|. The arm 49 has a slot 5| therein through which a bolt 53 extends. The bolt 53 is employed for securing rotatably to the arm 49 a sheave 55. By adjusting the bolt 53 along the slot 5|, the radial distance between the sheave 55 and the shaft 3| may be varied. The chain 2| passes through the peripheral groove in the sheave 55. An additional sheave 51 is rotatably secured to the end plate 21 for the purpose of guiding the chain 2|.

It will be understood that the bias exerted by the spring 33 (Fig. 4) on the shaft 3| is in a direction maintaining the chain 2| taut. If the chain in Fig. 2 is permitted to move upwardly in the direction of the arrow A, the shaft 3| is moved by its bias in a clockwise direction. The angular movement of the shaft 3| is determined by the adjustment of the sheave 55 along its slot 49. The position of the sheave 55 with respect to the chain 2| may be adjusted by manipulation of the cap screw 41. The sector 39 permits substantial overtravel of the shaft 3| in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, without loss of the effective connection between the chain and the sector.

If movement of the chain in the direction of the arrow A represents increasing load, the arm 49 is rotated in a clockwise direction towards a position represented by dotted lines 49a which, for example, may represent of the rated load for which the system is designed or towards a position represented by dotted lines 49b which may represent the rated load of the system. Since the travel of the chain for a predetermined load variation may vary for different installations, it is desirable to assure a predetermined angular movement of the shaft 3| about its axis for all such installations. The desired angular movement may be obtained by adjusting the sheave 55 to change the effective arm between the axis of the sheave 55 and the axis of the shaft 3|.

Rotation of the shaft 3| may be employed for operating various devices such as rotary electric switches and variable impedance elements. In the preferred embodiment of the invention here- 4 in illustrated, the shaft 3| is employed for operating a series of switches. Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, it will be observed that the end plates have secured thereto a strip 59 and reinforcing angles El and 63. A plate 65 of insulation, such as a phenolic? resin, is secured to the strip 59 in any suitable manner, as by one or more bolts 65. A spacing collar 5'! may surround each of the bolts for spacing the plate 65 from the strip 59. A pair of stationary electric contacts 88 and 69 are secured to the plate 65 by suitable terminal bolts H and 13.

A channel member 15 is secured to the bed plate 25 by means of one or more machine screws 11. This channel member has secured to its legs, by means of machine screws 19, two parallel spaced plates 8| and 83 of insulating material such as a phenolic resin. A movable spring contact 85 is secured to the plate 8| by means of bolts 81 and 89, and is .resiliently biased towards engagement with the fixed contact 61. The bolt 89 also serves as a terminal bolt for receiving a conductor through which the movable contact is connected electroconductively to other components of an electric circuit.

In a similar manner a movable spring contact 9| is secured to the plate 83 and is biased towards engagement with the fixed contact 69.

For controlling the movementofthe movable contacts into and out of engagement with their associated fixed contacts a cam disc 93 is secured to the shaft 3| in any convenient manner as through a collar 95. The disc 93 conveniently may be constructed of an insulating material such as a phenolic resin. The movable contact 85 has a cam follower 85a secured thereto which cooperates with the disc to control the movement of the movable contact. In a similar manner the movable contact 9| has a cam follower 9|a secured thereto. The disc 93 has a cam configuration selected to open and close the associated switches at desired angular positions of the shaft 3|. For example, the disc 93 has a notch 93a which permits movement of the movable contact 85 into engagement with its associated fixed contact. When the disc 93 is rotated away from the position illustrated in Fig.- 3 the cam follower rises out of the notch 93a to force the movable contact 85 away from its fixed contact. The angular distance of movement of the disc 93 about the axis thereof for which the contacts 61 and 85 remain in engagement depends on the angular length of the notch 93a. A similar notch 93b is provided for cooperation with the cam follower 9|a of the movable contact 9|.

As hereinafter morefully pointed out, the switches may be employed for any desired control operation. In one embodiment certain of the switches, such as the switch represented by the contacts 85 and 68, may be connected to taps on a resistor 91 which may be in the form of a resistor tube through conductors. i In this embodiment rotation of the shaft 3| results in a change in the effective portion of the. resistance tube 91. A terminal 91aand tap 91b for the resistor are shown in Fig. 4. I

It will be understood that as many switches as desired may be associated with the shaft 3|. For example, in Fig. 4, seven collars a to 95g, similar to the collar 95, are mounted on the shaft 3|. Each of these collars has a disc and switch contact assembly associated therewith which are similar to those described for the collar 95.

It will be understood that the various discs corresponding-to the disc 93 of Fig. 3 may be mounted at different angular positions about the shaft 3| and that the cam configurations of the discs may be selected to provide the desired operation of the associated switches. For example, the nctcheson the cam disc associated with the collar 95a of Fig. 4 may have angular positions represented by dotted lines 93A and 93B in Fig. 3.

If desired, a cover 99 may be detachably secured to the bed plate 25 for the purpose of enclosing and protecting the device. As shown in Fig. 4, the cover projects from the bed plate 25 at one end to provide a port through which the chain 2| can pass.

The load-determining device I9 is illustrated in detail in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. It willbe assumed that the load-determining device is designed for an elevator car having six ropes or cables associated therewith. The six rodsiiw to SI in Fig. 6 correspond to the rods!) in Fig. l, and are arranged in two spaced parallel rows each containing three rods. These rods pass freely through the hitch plate 5 and have threaded ends for the reception of nuts 9A to Between the hitch plate 5 and the nut 9A, the rod 9a passes through two spaced washers It Ia and 13a and a helical or coil spring let-a which compressedbetween the two washers. In a similar manner helical springs I052) to I657 are associated with each of the rods 3b to 9 By reference to Figs. 5 to 7, it is clear that each of the rods 9a to 9) is free to move relative to the hitch plate 5 independently of the remaining rods. Such movement to a limited degree is permitted by the individual helical springs associated therewith.

The load-determining device includes appara- 1 tus for individually determining the displacement of the washers H330; to I03 with respect to the hitch plate 5 and for totalizing these individual displacements. The resultant total represents the total load carried by the six ropes secured to the hitch plate 5. The mechanism for determining and totalizing the displacements includes a cradle IE6 formed by a bar I01 having crossbars I613 and III securedthereto at each end. The crossbar Ififlhas secured thereto two pins I I2 and H3 which project from the crossbar for a substantial distance. In a similar manner the crossbar has projecting therefrom two pins 5 and H9.

The cradle is secured adjustably'to the hitch plate 5. To this end the hitch plate has a separate opening I2I for snugly but slidably receiving each of the pins. The pins are held in adjusted position by means of a suitable setscrew I23.

A shaft I25 extends between the crossbars I09 and III and is secured thereto. Six levers |2|e to I21 are mounted on the shaft I25 for independent rotation about the axis of the shaft.

Each of the levers is responsive to the displacement of one of the washers I03a to I03). For example, the lever |2|e has a projection which carries an adjustable screw |29a. The screw |29a engages the Washer ||l3a and moves the lever |2|e about its axis in accordance with movement of the washer I03a relative. to'the hitch plate 5. Similarly, the levers |2|e and|2le carry screws |29c and I296 for engaging respectively the washers I030 and |03e.

The levers I211), |2|cl, and [21) also have adjustable screws I291), |29d, and I291 forengaging respectively the washers I03b, [0311, and I031. However, it will be noted that the screws |29b, |29d, and 129i are. located on the opposite side of the shaft I25 from the screws |29a, I290, and

|29e. Consequently, if'allof'thesprings |0'5a; to H151 were to be compressed simultaneously, the levers |2Ia, |2|e, and I2!!! would rotate about the shaft I25 in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of theremaining levers thereabout. The foregoing assumes, of course, that the adjusting screws |29a through I291 are biased against their associated washers.

The levers have associated therewith elements for guiding the flexible member or chain 2 I. In the specific embodiment herein illustrated, the elements take the form of sheaves |3|a to I3|f which are rotatably mounted on their respective levers |2|e to |2|i. By inspection of Figs. 5, 6 and '7, it will be observed that the sheaves are positioned substantially in. a row and that. their axes are substantially parallel to each other. It will be noted further that the sheaves I3 Ia, I3 lo, and |3|e are located on one side of the path of travel of the chain 2| whereas the remaining sheaves I3Ib, |.3|d, and I3|f are located on the opposite side of the path of travel of the chain 2i. An end of the chain 2| is secured in any suitable manner to an abutment I33 which is carried by the hitch plate 5. Preferably an additional guide sheave. |35is rotatably secured to a projection from the cross-bar N33 for guiding the chain adjacent the sheave I3Ia. Since the chain 2| is maintained taut by the spring 33 (Fig. 4), the spring acts through the chain to maintain the screws |29a to I29 biased in engagement with the washers |03a to |03f.

By inspection of Fig. 6, it will be observed that a mark B on the chain 2| will move in a downward direction if any of the sheaves |3Ib, I 3|d and i3 If is moved in a downward direction, or if any of the sheaves |3|a, |3|c and |3|e is moved in an upward direction. Conversely, the mark B will move in an upward direction if any of the sheaves |3|a, I3 lo and |3|e is moved in a downward direction or if any of the sheaves |3|b, I3 Id and I3 If is moved in an upward direction. Since the individual movements of these sheaves correspond to the movements of the associated washers |03a to [03 it follows that the movement of the mark B depends on the total load on the six ropes associated with the hitch plate 5 and the loading may be shown on a suitable scale C positioned adjacent to the path of travel of the mark B. 1

By. providing a separate lever and associated parts for each rope, the device may be designed for any desired number of ropes. For example if only four ropes are required, the levers |2|e and I211 and the parts associated with these levers may be omitted. The remaining parts then could be uniformly distributed relative to the hitch plate.

The load-determining device may be adjusted readily for any installation. For example, by loosening the setscrews I23 the entire cradle supporting the shaft I25 and the associated levers may be adjusted bodily with respect to the hitch plate 5. In addition, each of the levers may be adjusted with respect to its associated one of the washers ||l3a to [03f by manipulation of the 'in the various sheaves'all contribute to the variation in the load distribution among the various ropes. Becauseof such variations, it is desirable that the load-determining device have an individual response to the load on each of the ropes and such individual response is provided in the compact mechanism illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, and 7.

The ropes are afforded substantial freedom by the load-determining device. Thus, rotations of the ropes, of the springs or of the washers associated with the springs have no effect on the operation of the device. For similar reasons the device can tolerate a substantial change in alignment of the ropes, such as the change which occurs in many elevator systems as the car approaches its top landing.

The load-determining device may be employed in various ways. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the device may be employed directly for weighing the load on the elevator car and for indicating the load to the elevator operator. As a further example, the device may be employed for operating switches in accordance with load changes or for operating variable impedances for the purpose of controlling the time of application of the In the White et al. Patent 1,931,564, an elevator system is described which employs two loadresponsive devices which are identified in the patent by the reference characters 43 and 52. The load-responsive device 43 is employed in the patent for adjusting the resistance value of the brake-discharge resistor in accordance with the load on the elevator car. The load-responsive device 52 is employed for operating a by-pass relay when the elevator car is fully loaded. These load-responsive devices may be replaced by the load-responsive devices herein described in the manner illustrated in Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 represents a system exactly similar to that shown in Fig. 7 of the aforesaid White et al. patent except for the replacement of the load-determining devices 43 and 52 of the White et al. patent by load-determining devices MI and I43. Only so much of the White et al. Fig. '7 is shown here in Fig. 8 as is necessary to illustrate the changes. The reference characters X36, X31,

X33, X4I, X42, X35, X5I, XLI, and XL2 of Fig. 8

designate parts similar to parts designated in the aforesaid White et al. patent by the same reference characters with the prefix X omitted.

Referring first to the load-determining device I43 of Fig. 8, this device includes the devices I9 and 23 of Fig. 1. In this case, however, the disc 93 (Fig. 3) is adjusted to permit engagement of the contacts 69 and 9| when the elevator car attains its full loading. At such time the contacts engage to energize the by-pass relay X5I (Fig. 8). As explained in the aforesaid White et al. patent operation of the by-pass relay prevents the stopping of the elevator car in response to operation of a hall push button.

The purposeof the adjustable resistor 91 (Fig. 8) is to vary the .resistance of the discharge circuit for the release coil of the brake I5 in accordance with the elevator load. As explained in the aforesaid patent, proper adjustment of the resistance of the discharge circuit enables the car to come to an accurate stop at a desired floor regardless of the loading of the car. The device I4I (Fig. 8) also comprises the devices I9 and 23 shown in Fig. l.

I When employed in the system of Fig. 8, the previously-described resistance tube 91 (Fig. 3) may have taps connected to various switches operated successively by rotation of the shaft 3I. The various switches thus operate as the adjustable tap of Fig. 8. The effective portion of the resistance represented by the resistor tube 91 which is connected in the brake discharge circuit, as illustrated in Fig. 8, consequently is varied as a function of the car loading. The variation may be selected to assure accurate landing of the car regardless of the car loading.

The effect of car loading may differ appreciably for up-travel and down-travel of the elevator car. During the up-travel of the car the efiect of load is to retard the elevator car. During down-travel a load on the elevator car may operate as an over-hauling load to increase the speed of the elevator car. Under such circumstances the device I4I of Fig. 8 may be suitable for only one direction of travel of the car.

If desired, separate variable impedances may be operated by the load-determining device I9 and may be connected in circuit for up-travel and down-travel respectively of the associated car. One solution is illustrated in Fig. 9.

Fig. 9 represents a system similar to that illustrated in Fig. 8 except for the connections of the resistor tube 91. The changes are located within the broken-line rectangle I4Ia which replaces the device I4I of Fig. 8.

By reference to the aforesaid White at al. patent it will be found that the reversing switches X36 and X31 determine the direction of travel of the elevator car. These switches may be employed for actuating a snap-acting switch which is illustrated in Fig. 9 as a toggle switch I45. In one position the switch connects the left-hand end of the resistor tube 91 to the conductor I4'Ia (which corresponds to the conductor I41 of Fig. 8) whereas in the other position of the switch I45 the remaining end of the resistor tube 91 is connected to the resistor I4'Ia. The switch I45 has an operating member I49 which is pivoted for rotation about a stationary pivot and which has its ends positioned respectively adjacent lugs I5I and I53, carried by the switches X3! and X36 respectively. With the parts in the positions illustrated in Fig. 9, operation of the switch X36 in an upward direction moves the operating member I49 about its pivot to carry the knee of the toggle across the line of action of the spring I55. The movable contact I51 of the switch thereupon swings in a clockwise direction about its stationary pivot to connect the right-hand end of the resistor tube 91 to the conductor I41. Toggle switches of this general type are well known in the art. From the foregoing it is clear from Fig. 9 that if the resistor 91 is connected to present a discharge circuit to the coil of the brake X33, which increases in resistance with the load on the elevator car during down-travel of the elevator car, the connections for up-travel of the elevator car will be such that the resistance of the discharge circuit decreases as the load on the car increases. By proper selection of the taps on the resistor tube and by proper selection of the angle of the operating shaft at which the various taps are connected in circuit, the embodiment of Fig. 9 operates to provide accurate landings for all elevator car loadings.

A further embodiment of the invention will be discussed with reference to the Williams et al. Patent 2,238,614. When an elevator car starts, a substantial time is required for the elevator motor to develop a torque suflicient to support the car and its load. If the brake releases prior to the development of such torque; the elevator car may move away 'f-roma landing in a direction opposite to the desired direction of travel. Such movement is particularlyobjectionable in elevator systems of the relevellingtype.

In accordance with theembodiment of 10, the release of the elevator brake is varied in time as a function of the loading of the elevator car for the purpose of preventing brake release until the motor torque has'built up to a value sufficient to hold the elevator car; Fig. 10 represents a system exactly similar to the'system illustrated in Fig. 1 of the Williams et aLpatent except for the addition oia device 16]; F'or this reason Fig. 16 shows only a part of the complete system illustrated in 1 of the Williams et al. patent sufficient to'illustrate the invention. The reference characters L-l-l,QL I3F, Na, and MI represent the same components in Fig. 10 and in l of the Williams et al. patent.

In Fig. ldthebrake release coil IBa upon closure of the contact MI is energized through a time-delay circuit which is represented in Fig. 10 by a capacitor 161a connected in parallel with the resistor 91. The timedelay introduced into such a parallel circuit is a function of the product of the resistance of the resistor 9! and the capacitance of the capacitor 1610.. The resistor 91 of Fig. 10 is the resistor tube of the device 23 (Fig. 1) and the effective value thereof is varied as a function of the loading of the elevator car by means of 'the'load-determining device l9 (Fig. 1).

tioned with respect'to their associated switches that as the loading of the elevator car increases the effective value of the resistance of the resistor 91 is increased. This corresponds to an increase in the effective value of resistance of the resistor 91 of Fig. was the loading increases. Since the time-delay introduced by the capacitor and resistor increases with an increase in resistance, it follows that the release of the brake is delayed more and more as the loading of the car increases. 'This is in the desired direction for the reason that the time required for the mtor to build up to the torque required to hold the car increases with the loading of the car.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certainspecific embodiments thereof, numerous modifications are possible falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a hitch assembly,a plurality of stress transmitting parts, a hitch plate, a separate spring interposed. between each of the stress transmitting parts and the hitch plate for resiliently transmitting stress between the parts and the hitch plate, an elongated flexible member disposed in a variable path, a plurality of first and second elements spaced along the path of the flexible mernber,'said first and second ele ments alternating along said path and engaging the flexible member on opposite sides of the path, means m-ounting the first elements for movement individually in accordance with compressive and expansive displacements of separate first ones of said springs relative to the second elements to vary the path of the flexible member, and translating means responsive to variation in the path of the flexible member.

2. In a hitch-assembly, a plurality of stress transmitting-parts, a hitch plate, a. separate spring interposed between each of the stress The cams on the shaft 3! associated with the resistor 9'l (Fig. 3)' are so positransmitting parts and the hitch plate for resiliently transmitting stress between the parts and the hitch plate, an elongated flexible member, a plurality of grooved elements spaced along the flexible member, each pair of successive elements engaging opposite sides of the flexible member, a plurality of levers pivotally secured to the hitch plate, each of said levers mounting a separate one of the elements for movement about the axis of the associatedlever, each: of said levers having a portion positioned for movement in accordance with movement of an end of a separate one of the springs relative to the hitch plate, the portions on the levers mounting successive ones of said elements being posi-v tioned to move the elements in opposite directions in response to similar displacements of the associated springs, and translating means responsive to the displacement of the flexible member by the elements.

3. In an elevator system, an elevator car, a plurality of ropes for supporting the car, a'plu rality of springs, each of the springs being connected in series with a separate one of the ropes for displacing the ends of each of the springs relative to each other in accordance with the loading of the associated one of said ropes, a plurality of elements each associated with a separate one of the springs for movement in accordance with the relative movement of the ends of the associated spring, and means for adding the movements of said elements. I

4. In a displacement-responsive device, a load unit, a plurality of load-supporting members for continuously supporting the load unit, independent yieldable means permitting displacement of each of the load-supporting-members independently of the remaining load-supporting members relative to the load unit inaccordance with the load carried by said each of the load-supporting members, and totalizing mechanism independently responsive to the displacement of each of the load-supporting members for continuously totalizing the displacements of the load-supporting members, to provide a quantity representative of the load of the load unit;

5. In a displacement-responsive device, an elevator car, a plurality of load-supporting ropes for supporting the elevator car, yieldable means permitting displacement of each of the loadsup porting ropes relative to the elevator car in accordance with the load carried by said each of the load-supporting ropes, and totalizing mechanism independently responsive to the displacement of each of the load-supporting ropes for totalizing the displacements of the load-supporting ropes to provide a quantity representative of the load of the elevator car, said totalizing mechanism comprising'a flexible member, means responsive to the displacement of each of the load-supporting ropes for independently controlling the configuration of the flexible member, and translating means responsive to the relative positions of two spaced points on the flexible member. I

6. In a hitch assembly, a plurality of stress transmitting parts, a hitch plate, a separate spring interposed between each of the stress transmitting parts and the hitch plate for resiliently transmitting stress "between the parts and the hitch plate, an elongated'fiexib'le member disposed in a variable path, a plurality of first and second elements spaced along the path of the flexible'member, said first and second elements alternating along said path and engaging the flexible member on opposite sides of the path, means mounting the first elements for movement individually in accordance with compressive and expansive displacements of separate first ones of said springs relative to the second elements to vary the path of the flexible member, translating means responsive to variation in the path of the flexible member, and individual means for adjusting each of the elements relative to its associated spring.

7. In a hitch assembly, a plurality of stress transmitting parts, a hitch plate, a separate spring interposed between each of the stress transmitting parts and the hitch plate for resiliently transmitting stress between the parts and the hitch plate, an elongated flexible member disposed in a variable path, a plurality of first and second elements spaced along the path of the flexible member, said first and second elements alternating along said path and engaging the flexible member on opposite sides of the path, means mounting the first elements for movement individually in accordance with compressive and expansive displacements of separate first ones of said springs relative to the second elements to vary the path of the flexible member, translating means responsive to variation in the path of the flexible member, and means mounting the second elements for movement individually in accordance with compressive and expansive displacements of separate second ones of said springs relative to the second elements to vary the path of the flexible member, said mounting means being constructed to move the first elements in a first direction and the second elements in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to simultaneous similar displacements of all of said springs.

8. In a hitch assembly, a plurality of stress transmitting parts, a hitch plate, a separate spring interposed between each of the stress transmitting parts and the hitch plate for resiliently transmitting stress between the parts and the hitch plate, an elongated flexible mem ber disposed in a variable path, a plurality of first and second elements spaced along the path of the flexible member, said first and second elements alternating along said path and engaging the flexible member on opposite sides of the path, means mounting the first elements for movement individually in accordance with compressive and expansive displacements of separate first ones of said springs relative to the second elements to vary the path of the flexible member, translating means responsive to variation in the path of the flexible member, and individual means for adjusting the position of each of the first elements relative to the associated one of the springs.

9. In a hitch assembly, a plurality of stress transmitting parts, a hitch plate, a separate spring interposed between each of the stress transmitting parts and the hitch plate for resiliently transmitting stress between the parts and the hitch plate, an elongated flexible member, a plurality of grooved elements spaced along the flexible member, each pair of successive elements engaging opposite sides of the flexible member, a plurality of levers pivotally secured to the hitch plate, each of said levers mounting a separate one of the elements for movement about the axis of the associated lever, each of said levers having a portion positioned for movement in accordance with movement of an end of a separate one of the springs relative to the hitch plate, the portions on the levers mounting successive ones of said elements being positioned &

move the elements in opposite directions in response to similar displacements of the associated springs, and translating means responsive to the displacement of the flexible member by the elements, said portions comprising adjustments each individually effective for adjusting the position of the associated lever about its axis relative to the hitch plate.

10. In a hitch assembly, a plurality of stress transmitting parts, a hitch plate, a separate spring interposed between each of the stress transmitting parts and the hitch plate for resiliently transmitting stress between the parts and the hitch plate, an elongated flexible member, a plurality of grooved elements spaced along the flexible member, each pair of successive elements engaging opposite sides of the flexible member, a plurality. of levers pivotally secured to the hitch plate, each of said levers mounting a separate one of the elements for movement about the axis of the associated lever, each of said levers having a portion positioned for movement in accordance with movement of an end of a separate one of the springs relative to the hitch plate, the portions on the levers mounting successive ones of said elements being positioned to move the elements in opposite directions in response to similar displacements of the associated springs, translating means responsive to the displacement of the flexible member by the elements, said levers being mounted for rotation on a common shaft, and means for adjusting the shaft relative to the hitch plate.

11. In a hitch assembly, a plurality of stress transmitting parts, a hitch plate, a separate spring interposed between each of the stress transmitting parts and the hitch plate for resiliently transmitting stress between the parts and the hitch plate, an elongated flexible member, a plurality of grooved elements spaced along the flexible member, each pair of successive elements engaging opposite sides of the flexible member, a plurality of levers pivotally secured to the hitch plate, each of said levers mounting a separate one of the-elements for movement about the axis of the associated lever, each of said levers having a portion positioned for movement in accordance with movement of an end of a separate one of the springs relative to the hitch plate, the portions on the levers mounting successive ones of said elements being positioned to move the elements in opposite directions in response to similar displacements of the associated springs, translating means responsive to the displacement of the flexible member by the elements, said levers being mounted for rotation on a common shaft, means for adjusting the shaft relative to the hitch plate, and adjustments each effective for adjusting individually a separate one of the elements about said common shaft relative to the associated spring.

12. In a hitch assembly, a plurality of stress transmitting parts, a hitch plate, a separate spring interposed between each of the stress transmitting parts and the hitch plate for resiliently transmitting stress between the parts and the hitch plate, an elongated flexible member, a plurality of groove elements spaced along the flexible member, each pair of successive elements engaging opposite sides of the flexible member, a plurality of levers pivotally secured to the hitch plate, each of said levers mounting a separate one of the elements for movement about the axis of the associated lever, each of said levers having a portion positioned for movement in accordance with movement of an end of a separate one of the springs relative to the hitch plate, the portions on the levers mounting successive ones of said elements being positioned to move the elements in opposite directions in response to similar displacements of the associated springs, translating means responsive to the displacement of the flexible member by the elements, the translating means comprising a rotor, means mounting the rotor for rotation relative to the hitch plate, means coupling the flexible member to the rotor at a point displaced from the axis whereby movement of the end of the flexible member about the axis of the rotor produces rotor rotations, and means connecting the remaining end of the flexible member to the hitch plate.

13. In a hitch assembly, a plurality of stress transmitting parts, a hitch plate, a separate spring interposed between each of the stress transmitting parts and the hitch plate for resiliency transmitting stress between the parts and the hitch plate, an elongated flexible member disposed in a variable path, a plurality of first and second elements spaced along the path of th flexible member, said first and second elements alternating along said path and engaging the flexible member on opposite sides of the path, means mounting the first elements for movement individually in accordance with compressive and expansive displacements of separate first ones of said springs relative to the second elements to vary the path of the flexible member, translating means responsive to variation in the path of the flexible member, individual means for adlusting each of the elements relative to its associated spring, and means for simultaneously adjusting all of the elements relative to the associated springs.

14. In a hitch assembly, a plurality of stress transmitting parts, a hitch plate, a separate spring interposed between each of the stress transmitting parts and the hitch plate for resiliently transmitting stress between the parts and the hitch plate, an elongated flexible member disposed in a variable path, a plurality of first and second elements spaced along the path of the flexible member, said first and second elements alternating along said path and engaging the flexible member on opposite sides of the path, means mounting the first elements for movement individually in accordance with compressive and expansive displacements of separate first ones of said springs relative to the second elements to vary the path of the flexible member, translating means responsive to variation in the path of the flexible member, individual means for adjusting the position of each of the first elements relative to the associated one of the springs, and means for simultaneously adjusting all of said first elements relative to the associated springs.

LENNIUS R. RISSLER. JOSEPH K. KRAFT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

